In fact, less than 20%–and in two recent years, less than 7% and 4%, respectively–of the money raised by Freedom Alliance went to these causes, while millions of dollars went to expenses, including consultants and apparently to ferry the Hannity posse of family and friends in high style. And, despite Hannity’s statements to the contrary on his nationally syndicated radio show, few of the children of fallen soldiers got more than $1,000-$2,000, with apparently none getting more than $6,000, while Freedom Alliance appears to have spent tens of thousands of dollars for private planes.
It’s the only way he’ll fly:
According to an October 6 article in the Washington University magazine Student Life, Hannity “reportedly asked that the media not be informed of his motivations for the decision.” The students who had coordinated the event — who had raised $20,000 to bring Hannity to their campus — described what happened:
Hannity cited personal reasons for his cancellation, said law student Ruth Hollander after speaking with the right-wing pundit over the phone yesterday. Hannity, Hollander said, requested a private jet to fly him to St. Louis for the speech, but then rejected “several” different jets offered by a private donor. He told Hollander about a “bad experience” with the prominent company that had manufactured all the jets offered for his trip.
“[Hannity's agent] said he thought we should say that because of the short time frame involved, it didn’t work out,” said Hollander. “I said I didn’t think that was the truth, and…I really felt we had met all of our commitments and we were going to be honest when asked.”
Will conservatives challenge Hannity or say nothing and look the other way? Bet on the latter.
I can think of a lot more blowhards and frauds who actually have real impact on our lives. I wish you would call out a few of those…
Unfort., Hannity does factor into our lives thanks to his undue influence within the GOP. And a fraud like him definitely warrants exposure.
I’m more disappointed about the stats from his “charity.” I’m willing to most major pundits from both parties are divas in disguise.
Unfortunate if true and will hurt his reputation.
However, I agree with Ms. Ellie – Obam and Nancy are about to socialize 18% of the American economy and have bribed the way to votes with taxpayer money. Now that is some scary stuff.
Debbie Schussel is a notorious liar, and she’s lying about this.
“This week, false and malicious allegations about Freedom Alliance were posted on the Internet and we want to address them with you. We don’t know the motivation for these vicious smears, but we will not allow them to go unanswered.”
Dear Friends of Freedom Alliance: (March 18, 2010)
This week, false and malicious allegations about Freedom Alliance were posted on the Internet and we want to address them with you. We don’t know the motivation for these vicious smears, but we will not allow them to go unanswered.
First, we want to thank you for your support and assure you that Freedom Alliance’s record of financial stewardship and programmatic achievements not only meets, but exceeds standards of program efficiency set by most charity evaluators. We are extraordinarily proud of our work at Freedom Alliance and stand by our efforts 100 percent.
False Accusations
The blog posting accuses our friend Sean Hannity of personally benefiting from Freedom Alliance. This is FALSE. Freedom Alliance has never provided planes, hotels, cars, limos, or anything else to Sean. Sean gets nothing from Freedom Alliance except our gratitude for his personal generosity and for all he has done to help the troops and our organization. We have never had to ask Sean for anything, he always generously offers his help before we have a chance to ask him. But to be clear Sean pays for all his own transportation, hotels, and all related expenses for himself and his family and friends and staff, which over the years has added up to tens of thousands of dollars. He does not use any Freedom Alliance Funds or Concert funds in any way, period.
Sean Hannity has contributed $100,000 to the Wounded Warriors Foundation, over $200,000 to the Freedom Alliance, and over tens of thousands of dollars to other military charities and individuals. We only make this information public because of the outrageous slander against him. Sean has no management or operational involvement in, or control over, Freedom Alliance. He has been a selfless patriot in his efforts to raise funds for the education of children of armed services personnel.
The blog posting accuses Freedom Alliance of spending less than 20% of money raised on program activities. This is FALSE. Listed below are the amounts that Freedom Alliance spent for each of the past three years and the categories on which they were spent. The figures are taken from our Federal Form 990 which is filed with the Internal Revenue Service and posted on our web site and audited by an independent auditor using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This financial record not only meets, but exceeds standards of program efficiency set by most charity evaluators.
In 2008, Freedom Alliance spent a total of $6,745,717. Of that:4.
79 percent ($5,317,970) was spent on Program Activities•
14 percent ($945,950) was spent on Fundraising•
7 percent ($481,797) was spent on Management •
In 2007, Freedom Alliance spent a total of $7,461,350. Of that:
81.5 percent ($6,084,474) was spent on Program Activities•
13.5 percent ($1,011,501) was spent on Fundraising•
5 percent ($365,375) was spent on Management•
In 2006, Freedom Alliance spent a total of $7,064,839. Of that:
77 percent ($5,434,538) was spent on Program Activities•
18.5 percent ($1,308,414) was spent on Fundraising•
4.5 percent ($321,887) was spent on Management•
The blog posting accuses Freedom Alliance of spending money intended for student scholarships on 5. other expenses. This is FALSE. Freedom Alliance has distributed $3.4 million in Scholarships and created a Scholarship Trust Fund with the additional money that we have raised for that program. That fund now contains $15 million, over $10 million of which has been raised by Hannity and the concerts. Our scholarship program is managed with the understanding that it will be needed for at least the next 20 years as there are children who will ultimately receive a scholarship who are now only a few years old. As indicated on our Federal Form 990, these funds are restricted and used only for future scholarships.
Our Scholarship Fund is one of four programs operated by Freedom Alliance. Supporters may donate to a specific program or for general operating purposes.
In 2008, Freedom Alliance received $2.1 million in scholarship donations. The same year, we awarded $802,250 in scholarships and applied $1.3 million to our Scholarship Trust Fund. The funds donated by Sean Hannity directly — or through the proceeds of the Freedom Concerts — and the support of thousands of Americans are used for these purposes:
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund• : Providing scholarships to those whose parents have been killed or severely injured in their service to our Country. There is now over $15 million in the scholarship fund for the students as they come of age.
Support our Troops• : Many events each year are planned and executed by our staff to show appreciation and provide special opportunities for those actively serving in the military.
Leadership Academy• : A program for high school students in which they are encouraged and trained to serve their country.
These programs would not be possible without the support of Mr. Hannity and many others.
We are proud of our work and numerous accomplishments. We are grateful to our supporters whose voluntary contributions make it possible and we thank you. While it is discouraging to have our record misrepresented in such a malicious way, our work is important and, with your support, it will continue.
Respectfully,
Thomas P. Kilgannon, President
Oliver L. North, Founder & Honorary Chairman
Freedom Alliance v 22570 Markey Court, Suite 240 v Dulles, Virginia 20166 v (703) 444-7940
http://www.freedomalliance.org/images/pdf_and_largepics/freedom_alliance_response.pdf
Thomas P. Kilgannon, President
Oliver L. North, Founder & Honorary Chairman are part of my email message letting others know of the scam and to forward Debbie’s link. The Vet websites have been fuming over this scam.
Youtube has Ed Shultz calling Hannity out on this asking “Sean are you cooking the books?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D2DSk3Qfd4 here is the link
Meanwhile the cornhusker kickback, the La Purchase, Gatoraid, Bismark Bank Heist and other assorted goodies that will actually effect us all and move us toward socialism become law tonight.
I didn’t think the Hannity accusations were true – I hope they charge the person who started this with slander.
How do you know they’re not true? Because he says so?
How do you know they are?
Whatever
OMG…another Hannity-hater with too much time on his hands. Hannity has done more for wounded soldiers than every liberal in the country with an IQ below 70 (i.e., most of them)….Get a life….
I AM READING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME ,.THESE ARE OUR BOYS THAT OUR COUNTRY HAS FORGOTTEN, I AND MY WIFE WILL STILL GIVE MONTLY .,,WE WILL JUST ” LET GOD SEPERATE THE SCUM BAGS”…WHERE DOES IT END SEAN H… ????? IN CASE EVERYONE FORGOT HE GAVE HIS EX LIBERAL PARTNER ON HIS OLD SHOW A GOLD ROLEX WHEN IT CAME PARTING OF THE WAYS FOR THEM ” WHY ,,,,,BECAUSE SEAN IS THAT” GOOD” AND THE LIB;S STILL WANT TO BURY HIM !!! GIVE IT UP A/HS…..IF IT WAS A LIB OR DEM ,,FUNDS WOULD BE MISSING ITS WHAT THEY DO..HEY,, LOOK AT HAITI TODAY…..RAY / B.